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[incorrectfanfics]

When He Comes Home

Final Fantasy VII

Cloud Strife/Tifa Lockhart

Post-ACC

---

The day had finally ended over at Seventh Heaven. With the doors locked and the windows closed, only the bar's owner and her friend stirred inside. Yuffie sat at the bar watching Tifa go back and forth. Only the golden glow of the lights over the bar luminating the two. Finally, Tifa was finished. Well, almost finished.

"Want a drink?" Tifa asked.

"I'll just have tea," said Yuffie.

"Tea, it is." A few moments later, Tifa came back to the bar with a tea pot and two cups. Yuffie looked around the bar as Tifa poured her cup of tea.

"So I noticed that Cloud's not around," Yuffie mused.

"He got a delivery for a client that, unfortunately, took him across the mountains. He should be back by tomorrow," answered Tifa.

"Yeah, I noticed he's gotten quite a number of those deliveries lately,"

"Uh-huh," Tifa hummed, absentmindedly.

"Cloud. Out there. All alone. Away from you. Having to stay at inns," Yuffie implyed.

"Yes?" Tifa asked before sipping her tea.

"I mean," Yuffie continued. "I'm just saying. There are a lot of temptations out there. A guy can get lonely being away from his woman."

Tifa blushed for a moment at sound of being called, "his woman." Yuffie wasn't wrong, but it was still rare for someone to say it out loud.

"You're point being?" asked Tifa.

"How do you know he's not cheating on you?"

Tifa almost slammed her teacup onto the bartop. She let out a deep sigh. Tifa's cheeks started to red and flare up. She glared at Yuffie. Someone needed a stern talking to...until...a thought came up.

Tifa pulled her hair away from her face and smiled. Yuffie leaned back. Something about that smirk got her apprehensive.

"Do you really wanna know?" Tifa asked.

Yuffie's eyes widened. She quickly took a sip of her tea. Yuffie fidgeted in her seat and tried to create some distance, but Tifa leaned forward.

"Well," Tifa began, "Cloud will go out and make these long deliveries. And sometime I don't see him for days. And when he does, start to miss him. Like really miss him. And I know he'll miss me."

"Uh, okay," said Yuffie.

"He calls me every time he stays at an inn. I send him a text about how much I miss him, and then he sends me a text telling me all the things he's gonna do to me when he comes home and gets his hands on me. And he'll send me a picture when he takes a shower of himself taking a shower. And I'll show him what underwear I'm wearing that day, if I'm wearing any."

"Whoa!" exclaimed Yuffie. "TMI, too much information."

"And then," Tifa slammed her hand and the bartop, getting Yuffie to jump in her seat. "I'll be closing up the bar. Just like this. And all the lights will be off except for this one light. Just like this."

"Why are you saying it like a scary story now?" Yuffie asked.

"The kids will be asleep. And then all of a sudden in the middle of the night, I'll be finishing up the dishes when I hear Fenrir's engine getting louder and louder. And then, it'll shut off. I'll hear Cloud's footsteps get closer and closer."

Yuffie sat frozen in her seat, staring at Tifa.

"Then the door will swing open," Tifa continued. "And he'll be standing there. His glowing mako eyes focused on me. He'll slam the door behind him and lock it, so nobody interrupts. Without saying a word, he'll march straight over to me and grab me with his strong SOLDIER arms."

"Um, my tea is cold," mumbled Yuffie, but Tifa ignored her. Instead Tifa walked over from behind the bar and crept up to Yuffie.

"And then, Cloud will rip my clothes off. Like a madman out of prison, he'll peel them off of me until my bare naked body is in the open air. He'll like his lips like a ravenous wolf, and then dive his head between my legs. Hungrily eating me-"

"Oh my god!" Yuffie yelled.

"Right hear on this countertop," Tifa laughed. "I'll squirm and I'll kick. I'll try to get away from him. 'No,' I'll tell him. 'We can't. Not here. We'll wake up the kids.' And he'll ignore me. His tongue will go every where. His hands will grab all of me. Until I slip and fall on my chest. My boobs squished on the bar top. He'll climb on top of me. I'll feel his breath on my neck. I'll feel him...poking me back then. And then with one big thrust-!"

"Boo!" said Cloud, right in Yuffie's ear.

"YeayYyea-HOLY SHIT!" Yuffie screamed. She fell off the bar stool and hit the ground, wailing and kicking. Cloud and Tifa stood over her. Tifa laughed while Cloud chuckled.

"You guys are real fucking assholes, you know that?" Yuffie yelled. Yuffie picked herself up and started to storm out of the bar. "It was just a question, dammit."

The door slammed shut. Cloud shook his head.

"What was that all about?" he asked.

"Yuffie thought she would ask about your fidelity," Tifa answered, fighting off the last of her giggles.

"Really?" Cloud replied.

"She thought she could tease me, but I turned it around."

"I'll say." Cloud wrapped his arms around Tifa and pulled her in for a kiss.

"But I'm home now," he said.

"Yes, you are."

[incorrectfanfics]

Diakko Week 2019 "Competition"

“Alright!” Akko yelled. “Another year, another broom race. And now that I can ride a broom, I’m sure to win.”

“You sure about that?” Sucy asked. “You can ride one, but it’s not like you’re very good at it.”

“Huh? What kind of attitude is that?” Akko asked.

“Well, we had fun last time, so I guess I don’t mind,” said Lotte. “Right, Sucy?”

“At this point, it’s easier on all of us to give her want she wants than to fight against it,” Sucy answered flatly. “I’m used to it by now.”

“This is gonna be so cool,” Akko beamed. “I’m finally going to have my picture next to Professor Chariot’s!”

Meanwhile…

“So I heard Akko’s going enter the broom race again,” said Hannah.

“Really? Didn’t she learn the first time?” asked Barbara. “She doesn’t have the Shooting Star anymore. She can barely ride.”

“Maybe she hit her head too hard,” Hannah added.

“Girls, I’m right here.” Diana looked up from her tea. The icy glare was enough to freeze Hannah and Barbara in their seats.

“Oh,” Hannah said, “I forgot. You two are a thing now.”

“We’re sorry, Diana.”

“You’re not exactly wrong,” Diana sighed. “Akko has only just started to get the hang of the basics. She’s nowhere near ready to fly competitively.”

“Should we do something?” Barbara asked. 

“If we enter and win the broom race, we’ll be the first team in Luna Nova to win two years in a row,” said Hannah.

“Interesting,” Diana mused.

“Does that mean that they’ll put up two pictures of us next to Professor Chariot’s photo?” Barbara asked.

“Yeah, that’s kinda weird,” said Hannah. “To think that Professor Ursula was Chariot this whole time. She doesn’t seem like the type to go out and try to be a celebrity. She’s just so spacy.”

“She is a bit of an airhead. I guess that’s why she and Akko are a perfect pair,” added Barbara.

“People change,” Diana said, setting down her teacup. “We should focus on the matter at hand.”

Later, the time had come for the broom race. Teams had lined up on their marks.

“A’right,” Professor Nelson started. “Let’s get started with dis year’s broom race. Rules are simple. Fly to the next checkpoint and pass the baton to ya teammate. No rough housin’. I wanna nice clean race. No funny business, Miss Manbavaran.”

“Whatever,” Sucy said flatly.

“On ya marks. Ge’s set. ‘N go!”

Sucy flew off on a reasonably steady pace. The other witches did not follow.

“Wha’s the matter? I said go.” Professor Nelson looked over the broom riders to see that their brooms had sprouted vines attached to the ground. “Geez, not again.”

“You should have expected this from me,” yelled Sucy.

Diana and Akko were waiting at the third checkpoint. The other racers stood idly by, chit-chatting or stretching. 

“This is so boring,” Akko whined. “Are they here yet?”

“Calm down,” said Diana. “The race just started. It might be a few minutes. Just find something to entertain yourself.”

“You wanna make out?” Akko asked.

“Yes,” Diana answered, “Just not in front of Amanda.”

“Party pooper,” Amanda chirped.

“I can feel it. This is going to be the year when I get my picture next to Chariot’s!” Akko beamed.

“What’s the big deal?” Amanda asked. “Ursula is Chariot. We see her, like, every day. I would have thought you had a hundred pictures by now. Just take a bunch of selfies or something.”

“I mean in the trophy case,” said Akko. “You know? The one in the hallway? Maybe I could ask them to move Diana’s picture so mine could be next to hers.”

Diana bit her lower lip. She blinked and tried to compose herself when she realized what she was doing.

“You know,” Amanda started, “I heard you were also a big-time Chariot fan once upon a time.”

“That was a long time ago,” Diana snapped.

“I’m just saying, being from the Cavendish family and all, you could have gone to any school,” said Amanda. “Even Hogwarts.”

“Heavens no! That place is a death trap,” said Diana.

“Yeah, I was reading about that,” Akko said. “How that place still open? Didn’t a bunch of people die there?”

“Here they come!” someone shouted. Akko, Amanda, and Diana all turned to see the next racers coming. They were still too far to see exactly how many, but they could still see Lotte and Hannah close to each other.

“Diana, I know this is all in the spirit of competition. To show there are no hard feelings about who wins and loses, I wrote you this love letter.” Akko pulled out a folded paper from her pocket.

“Thank you, Akko,” said Diana. “That’s really sweet.”

“Read it now. Please?” Akko begged.

“Fine.” Diana took the paper from Akko and read aloud, “Dear Diana, I hope reading this letter will distract you long enough to get a head start on the rac-OH goddammit!”

Diana threw the letter and saw Akko already in the distance.

“I truely value our relationship!” Akko yelled.

“I can’t believe you fell for that,” Amanda laughed.

Diana took the baton from Hannah and sped off. It wasn’t long before she was able to catch up to Akko. 

“That was a dirty trick you pulled, Akko.” Diana headed towards Akko. Akko tried to turn, but couldn’t pull away in time with how fast Diana was going. Instead, Diana slammed into Akko with both of them falling off their brooms and tumbling to the ground. The two of them sat rubbing their bruises under the woods’ shade.

“Ow,” Akko whined. “What’s the big idea, Diana? The broom race is just supposed to be for fun. Now neither of us is gonna win. What the heck is wrong with you?”

“You’re the one who was cheating. You shouldn’t even-” Diana stopped when she felt tears well up in her eyes. Akko noticed too.

“Hey,” she softly called out. “Hey Diana, are you okay? What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Is something broken?”

“No. No, I’m fine.” Diana turned away. Akko grabbed her by the arms and pulled her closer. The pain on Diana’s face wasn’t physical. It was emotional.

“Hey. Talk to me. What’s wrong?” Akko pleaded.

“Akko,” Diana started.  She pulled her hat over her face to hide her embarrassment. “I understand how much the broom race means to you, but you know that I also liked Chariot. Having my picture next to hers in the halls of Luna Nova is special to me. She’s your mentor and sometimes I feel like that’s the closest I’ll ever be to Shiny Chariot.”

“I’m sorry,” Akko apologized. “I was being selfish. I don’t think I would have won anyway. Sometimes I forget you were a fan too. You wanna go back up?”

“In a minute.” Diana wiped her face on her sleeve. “I don’t want everyone knowing I cried.”

A few minutes later, Diana and Akko flew back up onto the course. They sped past the finish line and dismounted in front of Professor Nelson.

“You two are a mess. What happened?” she asked.

“We got a little competitive and had a bit of a tumble. I apologize, Professor Nelson,” Diana explained. 

“Eh, no harm, no foul,” Nelson replied.

“At least we got to finish the race,” Akko chirped.

“No ya didn’t,” Nelson said. “The race ended minutes ago. O’Neil won.”

“Suck it,” was heard from a distance.

“Aw man,” Akko moaned.

“I should have figured as much,” Diana sighed.

[incorrectfanfics]

Diakko Week 2019 "Soulmates"

“Oh wow,” said Lotte. “The latest story in Night Fall is amazing. Annabel really believes that Edgar and Belle are soulmates.” Lotte giggled at her seat in the park bench. Her friends, Akko and Sucy, looked on beside her. 

“Soulmates?” Akko asked with ice cream on her face. “You really believe in that sorta thing, Lotte?”

“Well, probably not in real life,” Lotte answered. “But you have to admit, it does sound kinda romantic.”

“Sounds like a pain,” Sucy said. “Imagine being stuck with someone like Akko for a soulmate. Nothing but trouble.”

“What was that?” Akko yelled. “I’d be a great soulmate.”

“Akko, not so loud,” begged Lotte.

“So Lotte,” Akko started, “What do soulmates do exactly?”

“I’m not sure exactly.” Lotte flipped through the pages of her book. “In this latest volume, Edgar and Belle were finishing each other’s sentences. Then Edgar ordered Belle’s favorite lunch for her. And then at the end of chapter twelve, Edgar calms Belle down after her fight with the wicked headmistress. He knew exactly what to say to her. It’s like they’re totally in sync.”

“In sync, huh?” Akko mused. “Well, I bet it’s the same way for me and Diana.”

“You and Diana?” Lotte asked.

“That’s right. You two started dating not too long ago,” said Sucy. “It’s weird. Did you drug her or something?”

“I did not!” Akko yelled. “And it’s not that weird. I could get a girlfriend if I wanted.”

“Not the point I was making but okay,” said Sucy.

“I’ll prove that Diana and I are soulmates. It was meant to be,” Akko said, triumphantly.

“She’s not even listening,” Sucy thought out loud.

The next day at Luna Nova, classes were in session. The class was organized into study groups with Akko and Diana organized into the same group. The others listened in a circle while Diana started.

“With that the witch, Margret Craine started the cross wand method that would eventually be refined in the seventeen-”

“Hundreds!” Akko yelled. The rest of her group turned to look at her with blank stares. 

“...seventeenth century,” Diana continued. She gave Akko a sharp glare before picking up her notes. “When two witches cast the same spell, it can be used to amplify its power. It can also be used to cast two different complementary spells to create a third desired effect. The most important part is in the-”

“Timing!” again Akko yelled. Everyone turned to stare at Akko yet again.

“Y-yes, Akko. That’s correct.” Diana cleared her throat and tried to continue. “The timing of the spellcasting is important as the spell itself. Whichever spell is said first or if both spells are said at the same time is-”

“Important!” Akko yelled.

“Akko!” Diana snapped. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“No?”

“Then may I continue uninterrupted?” Diana asked.

“Yes?” Akko sank down into her chair, hoping she was out of everyone’s view.

“I don’t think that’s what they meant by finishing each other’s sentences,” Sucy whispered.

Lunch was a packed mess as usual. Akko spun around the crowded cafeteria, apologizing to anyone she bumped into and hoping none of them would notice she was carrying two lunch trays stacked on top of each other. She dropped herself onto her seat near Lotte and Sucy.

“Whew,” she said. “That was a lot harder than it should have been. I can’t believe that goblin cook was so greedy. I just needed another tray for Diana. And would it have killed him to make her favorite?”

“Do you even know her favorite?” Sucy asked.

“No, but I bet it’s not this,” Akko answered. She pointed down at her tray. Her bowl of potato soup had spilled into her potato salad and her fries were scattered all over the place. “It’s always potatoes.”

“Miss Kagari!”

Akko turned around and froze when she saw Professor Babcock marching toward her.

“What do you think you are doing? Two lunches? I hope you paid for them. We still haven’t recovered from Professor Croix’s nonsense and then you have the audacity to steal two lunch trays for yourself!”

“N-no! They’re not for me.” Akko shook her head, desperately trying to explain her intentions until Diana showed up.

“Professor Babcock, please,” Diana explained. “I’m sure I can personally donate enough to cover a few extra lunches.”

“So generous,” Professor Babcock said in awe. “However, there are limits to this sort of thing. You understand that this will not happen again?”

“Of course, professor,” Diana replied. She watched as Professor Babcock walked away, talking to herself about, “the nerve,” and, “that girl.” Akko sheepishly lifted her tray for Diana.

“This one was actually for you,” she said.

“I already ate,” Diana said, coldly. “You and I are going to have words later.”

“Great,” Akko sighed. She sank slowly into her chair as Diana walked away.

Classes had ended for the day with everyone going to where they wanted to go. Some went into town while others went straight to their dorms. Diana however, was dragging Akko to the hallway outside of her room. She looked around to make sure they were alone.

“Now explain. You have been acting strange all day.” Diana whispered.

“Why are you whispering? We’re alone,” Akko asked.

“I’m trying not to raise my voice!” Diana crossed her arms. “And don’t change the subject. I want an explanation.”

Akko held her chin and looked up to the ceiling. She let out a “Hmm” as if to ponder something.

“What are you doing?” Diana asked. Akko broke from her thoughts. She looked straight into Diana’s eyes and placed her hand on her shoulder.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hi,” Diana replied. Akko raised her eyebrows. Diana sighed as Akko began to fidget. “You know I don’t get pop culture references.”

“I just wanted to let the most wonderful witch in Luna Nova know how much I appreciate her.” Diana remained silent. Her eyes locked with Akko’s. “Okay, fine…”

One explanation later...

“That’s what this was about? Soulmates?” Diana scoffed. “Honestly Akko, the definition of soulmates that you are referring to is a work of fiction. Nothing more. There is no such thing.”

“Well excuse me,” Akko said. “I just wanted to show everyone how in sync I was with my awesome girlfriend. But I guess that was just fiction too.” Akko turned to walk away but was pulled back by Diana.

“Akko, please don’t be that way,” she said. “You know you're very important to me. You don’t need to prove anything to me or anyone. We’d be more ‘in sync’ if you just talked to me about these things.”

“I know,” Akko whined. She wrapped her arms around Diana’s waist with her partner doing the same. They swayed back and forth in a little dance all their own. “You’re right, as usual. So are there really no such thing as soulmates?”

“In the magic world? There is this one thing, but it’s more of a curse,” Diana answered. “What we have is by choice. I want to be with you.”

“I knew were going to say that,” laughed Akko.

“Did you really?” Diana asked.

“Will you just let me have this?”

[incorrectfanfics]

Zutara: Just Tell Him

Summary: The Fire Lord visits the Southern Water Tribe for the Glacier Spirits Festival. But his true objective is to find a way to tell the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe that he's in a relationship with the Southern Water Tribe Ambassador: his daughter, Katara.

CW: Some references to sex and alcohol.

I asked @the-badger-mole about Zuko/Hakoda interactions and then I remembered I'm not so bad at the whole keyboard typing thing myself so I'm pulling a Thanos and "do[ing] it myself."

Enjoy.

Black soot fell on the Southern Water Tribe. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough for the Hakoda, Chief of the Southern Water Tribe to take notice. He called for his top advisors and and a squad of soldiers. They raced towards the docks and waited. They watched as the large metal ship sailed into their waters. The intimidating vessel towered over the horizon. It looked like a warship with a red palace on top. Hakoda knew it could only belong to one man, the Fire Lord.

The ship docked. The ramp came down. Soldiers in red spiked armor marched down and made way for the man himself. He stood tall with a scowl on his face. His long hair pulled back to show the scar that marked almost half his face. The two leaders stood face to face, looking each other in the eyes.

"Chief Hakoda," Zuko said, giving a quick little bow.

"Zuko, my boy! How are you?" Hakoda pulled Zuko in a big polar bear hug so tight he lifted him off the ground. Hakoda let go and let Zuko drop to his feet. Before the Fire Lord could regain his composer, Hakoda gave him a big slap on the back so hard that Zuko almost fell over.

"You look thin. What? Do they not have meat in the Fire Nation?" Hakoda laughed. Zuko could hear snickering coming from his royal guard, but he paid them no mind.

"No, no, we do. It's just...I've been busy," Zuko said, trying to reclaim some dignity. "As a sign of good will, I'm here to attend the Glacier Spirits Festival."

"Then you're early. The festival isn't until this weekend. Where's Aang? I thought the avatar was coming with you," Hakoda asked. Zuko fidgeted uncomfortablly.

"Avatar Aang will not be joining us. He's...on a spiritual retreat," Zuko said.

"Makes sense. He is the avatar. But hey, I've got work to do and I won't keep you long. I know who you're really here to see."

Zuko's head perked up with a blush.

"Really? I didn't-" Zuko was interrupted by a tackle hug from behind, that again almost knocked him off his feet.

"Zuko! Hey, buddy," said Sokka. Sokka wrapped his arms around Zuko's neck pulling him down into a headlock that Zuko playfully tried to get out of.

"Sokka?" Zuko said.

"Hey, it's been it a bit. Where's Aang? He didn't come with you?" Sokka asked.

"He's on a spiritual retreat," Hakoda answered.

"That makes sense. He is the avatar and all," Sokka nodded. "We should catch up. Who's up for lunch on the Fire Lord's tab?"

"Sounds great, son," said Hakoda. "But I've still got some business to take care off. I'll see you all for dinner at the palace. Sound good?"

"See you there, dad," cheered Sokka. He turned with Zuko still under his arm. "Come on, Zuko."

"Sokka, seriously, let me go. It's not funny."

--

Katara worked at her desk and sighed. After traveling the world and defeating the world's strongest benders, looking over legislation seemed really boring in comparison. Her head perked up when she heard a commotion outside her office. Only one person could be this loud in the palace. Sure enough, the door was kicked open without even a knock.

"And then my dad shot her," said Sokka.

"That story gets weirder every time you tell it," said Zuko.

"Hey, Katara, look who's here," said Sokka.

"Zuko!" Katara rushed out from behind her desk and pulled Zuko in for a tight hug. She pulled back as the two locked eyes.

"It's been so long," she said.

"Yes," Zuko nodded.

"No, it hasn't," Sokka interrupted. "She just got back three months ago. And weren't you in the Fire Nation for, like, a year?"

"It's been a long three months, Sokka," said Katara, shooting her brother a quick scowl.

"We were gonna catch up over lunch. Wanna come?" Sokka asked.

Katara cleared her throat and tilted her head at Sokka for a second. Luckily, Zuko got the signal that Sokka missed.

"Yes, I brought gifts actually," said Zuko, "They're still on my ship but I brought some spiced wine for the festival as well as some fire lilies."

"Great," Sokka sarcastically replied, "Because nothing says eternal peace like a flower that's probably gonna die in three days."

"Sokka!" Katara scolded. "That's very sweet, Zuko. Sokka, please make sure the gifts are unloaded safely."

"What? Me? Why do I have to do it?" Sokka asked.

"Because I don't want to and it's you're job," answered Katara, "Mister-in-charge-of-domestic-affairs."

"Well the gifts are from the Fire Nation," Sokka shot back, "Miss ambassador."

"On our shores," Katara said flatly.

"Fine. Whatever." Sokka hung his head in defeat. "Thanks for the booze. I'll meet you at the restaurant, Zuko."

"Sure," Zuko nodded.

Katara waited until she could no longer hear Sokka's grumbling or his footsteps. She locked the door and turned to meet her lover in a tight embrace. Their lips met. The couple kissing as they ran their fingers through each other's hair, reluctantly breaking off to catch their breaths.

"I missed you," whispered Zuko. A tear falling from his eye.

"I missed you too," Katara said. "But you're here earlier than I thought you'd be."

"Your last letter gave me...ideas," Zuko said, blushing.

"Did it now?" laughed Katara. The couple kissed a few more times before taking a seat in the small couch in her office.

"How are things in the Fire Nation?" Katara asked.

"Going well," Zuko answered. "Jee loved the retirement gift you sent him."

"I was his favorite captain after all," Katara boasted.

"So he keeps telling me. Repeatedly," said Zuko. "To be honest, a got a little nervous coming in. I thought your father had found out about us."

"He still doesn't know," Katara said.

"You haven't told him?" Zuko asked. "Why?"

"I don't know. Nerves, I guess," Katara explained. "After the way Aang reacted when he caught us together, I didn't know if anyone else would feel the same way. What did you tell Sokka about Aang?"

"I told him Aang was on a spiritual retreat," Zuko answered.

"That makes sense," Katara nodded. "He is the avatar."

"Katara, what happened with Aang was not your fault."

"I know," she replied. "It was yours."

"What!?"

"I told you to lock the door," she said.

"That's not what I meant," said Zuko.

"I know, but still," Katara sighed. "I don't want to be put in that kind of situation again. Maybe you could tell him. My dad likes you."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

Katara cupped Zuko's face in her hands and kissed him.

"Please," she said. "For me?"

"Okay," Zuko relented. Katara pinched Zuko cheeks and shook them a little.

"So pouty," she teased.

"Please stop." Katara let go and giggled.

"So, I hope Sokka takes his time unloading those gifts. What will we do until then?" Katara asked, leaning back against her couch. She raised her arms and put her hands behind her head. Zuko leaned forward over her.

"I remember your last letter. Something about it getting hot in the south pole."

Katara giggled as Zuko leaned in for a kiss. His arms propping himself up on the couch. Katara's hands finding their way down the to sash of his royal garb and then his belt, undoing them the way she had done a dozen times before.

--

The dinner table was a long, fancy layout fit for any palace. Still, the chief's family sat close together at one end of the table. Their food laid out between them with the Fire Lord sitting close by.

"So Zuko," Hakoda asked, "How do you like Water Tribe food?"

"It's different," he answered politely. "Good, but different."

"I'm glad you like it. I didn't know if our humble cuisine would be fit for his lordship," Hakoda chuckled.

"Dad, he's not like that," Katara said. "Here, Zuko, have some more noodles."

"Hey, those are my noodles!" Sokka whined.

"You already had three bowls!"

"Kids," Hakoda interjected. "Not in front of our guest."

Hakoda sighed and shook his head with a smile.

"Some things never change, heh? Sorry about that." Hakoda said to Zuko.

"No," Zuko replied. "It's nice. This is nice. My meals aren't usually this...lively."

"Speaking of meals, sorry I had to miss lunch. But I'm glad you two were able to catch up with the Fire Lord," Hakoda said.

"Actually, it was just me and Zuko," Sokka corrected. "I had to make sure Zuko's gifts for the festival were unloaded from his ship. When I went back to Katara's office she was asleep on her couch, so it was just me and Zuko at the restaurant."

"Really?" Hakoda arched a brow at Katara who blushed.

"I was tired from...work," Katara said.

Hakoda turned to Zuko who looked down at his food as soon as their eyes met.

"Huh," Hakoda mused. "Interesting."

"What? What's happening?" Sokka asked.

"Nothing." Hakoda cleared his throat. "You know, Lord Zuko, it is customary to bring a fresh kill for the village before the festival. Perhaps you'd like to join me tomorrow for a hunt."

"But dad, we already have enough food," Sokka said.

"I know, but it's tradition." Hakoda smiled at Zuko while Katara nervously looked on. "How about it? You'd get to experience a little bit our culture before the festival. As a sign of good will, of course."

Zuko looked around the room before looking for a sign from Katara. She gave a quick albeit nervous nod.

"Of course," Zuko stammered. "I'd be honored to, Chief Hakoda."

"Good man." The tension lifted from the room for a moment. "Now how about some of that spiced wine the Fire Lord brought?"

"Put some fire in your belly, as they say in the Fire Nation. Right, Zuko?" Sokka chuckled.

"Yup," Katara muttered. "That is what they say."

--

The next day, Zuko was tying the knots on his armguards. He'd never been hunting before. Or at least, not successfully. But he was earnest in the attempt. Katara approached him with a fur coat under her arms.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" she asked.

"I'll be fine. Unlike my father, your dad is an honorable man," he replied. "I'm sure he won't try to do anything to me while we're out hunting. Alone. In the middle of a frozen tundra while I try to tell him that I'm sleeping with his daughter."

"Well aren't we confident?" Katara threw the fur over Zuko's shoulders and patted it down, making sure it fit. "This should help keep you warm."

"Thank you," Zuko said. Zuko leaned in, letting his forehead rest on hers.

"No matter what happens," Katara started, "I love you."

"I know." Zuko kissed Katara's forehead. "I love you."

Katara watched as Zuko left the hut out into the bright day of the Southern Water Tribe. The heat from the indoors replace by a cold gust of wind. As his eyes adjusted, Zuko could see Sokka and Hakoda.

"Hey," Sokka greeted as they approached. "Isn't that Katara's hut?"

"Uh..." was all Zuko could say, trying to think of a good answer.

"Never mind that. We're burning daylight," said Hakoda. "Let's go, Lord Zuko."

"Him? What about me?" Sokka asked.

"Sorry, Sokka, but I'm gonna need you to watch over things while I'm gone." Hakoda put his hand on Sokka's shoulder. "It's just for today. A cultural experience for the Fire Lord."

"Fine. I guess," said Sokka. "But I'm going to the next one."

It was quite the walk for the two men. First reaching the limits of the city. Then going out far enough to find wild arctic caribou.

Hakoda taught Zuko the basics. How to track, how to stalk your prey without them noticing, and how to pick your target. Zuko attentively listened and absorbed all of Hakoda's instruction. After a few hours, the two men found a small cave.

"Let's take a break here," Hakoda suggested. The two sat inside the cave. Hakoda reached into his pack and pulled out some firewood and arranged it between them.

"Do you mind?" he asked, gesturing at the wood. Zuko nodded and with a quick punch set the wood on fire. Zuko watched the wood crackle and enjoyed its warmth. Hakoda pulled out a small piece of meat from his pack and offered a piece to Zuko who politely declined.

"We'll be able to see the caribou from here. When the come back around to graze, that's when we'll make our move." Hakoda looked out into the distance. Zuko simply nodded. It was a few more moments before either man said anything. Hakoda was the first, feeling it was the right time.

"Lord Zuko," he spoke up, "I wanted to start by saying thank you for taking care of my daughter while she was staying at the Fire Nation."

"Yes, I mean, yes sir. It was no problem at all," Zuko awkwardly stammered.

"I would hope not. You being the Fire Lord," Hakoda said. Zuko, not knowing how to answer, just coughed.

"So were you supposed to tell me or was Katara going to?" Hakoda asked.

"What?"

"About the two of you." Hakoda crossed his arms and looked right into Zuko's eyes. Zuko, after failing to find the right words, hung his head.

"How did you know?" he asked.

"It wasn't too hard to figure out," Hakoda answered. "Katara is my daughter, but she's also become a beautiful young woman. You're a young man. She lives in the Fire Nation for a year and her letters back home become less and less frequent. Then when she gets home, all she can talk about is you."

"Wow," was all Zuko can say.

"My question is, why did you all try to keep it a secret?" Hakoda asked.

"When Katara was in the Fire Nation," Zuko sighed in the middle of his sentence. "Aang saw us...together. He didn't react well."

"Which would explain why he's not coming to the Glacier Spirit Festival, even though he's the avatar."

Zuko nodded.

"Apparently, he had feelings for Katara but she didn't feel the same."

"I figured as much," Hakoda shook his head. "I thought it would have been better not to say anything at the time."

"Aang was one of our closest friends or at least that's what we thought. So I guess she...we were afraid that if he was so against us being together maybe everyone else would-"

"The Avatar has his own feelings that he has to work through. It has nothing to do with you two," Hakoda interrupted. "What matters is you make each other happy. You make my daughter happy. That's what's important."

"Thank you, sir," said Zuko.

"Besides if you hurt my daughter, you'll have me to deal with," Hakoda warned.

"If I hurt your daughter, I don't think you'll get the chance. Katara can probably take me out herself."

Hakoda laughed so hard he almost fell backwards.

"She does have her mother's temper."

"Yeah," Zuko agreed. "She's pretty amazing."

The two men sat in the cave watching the arctic caribou slowly return from the horizon.

"We should probably take something back," said Hakoda.

"Thank you for talking with me, sir," said Zuko.

"Don't worry about it, son. You've done more than enough right by me. Sokka, on the other hand, good luck."

--

Katara paced back and forth.

"They should have been back by now. I should go look for them."

"Relax," said Sokka. "See?"

Sokka pointed out to two small figures in the distance. It was Hakoda and Zuko, dragging a caribou behind them.

"Wow, I can't believe they actually did it," Sokka said. "I thought dad was gonna catch Zuko with his pants down or something. Ew, now there's a sight."

"I've already seen Zuko with his pants down," Katara smirked.

Sokka blinked.

"Wh-what?"